Course Syllabus

Fall 2025 | ART-1310-VO01 - Digital Photography I

Online Class

Online courses take place 100% online via Canvas, without required in-person or Zoom meetings.

Faculty

Ann Barlow
View Faculty Credentials

Hiring Coordinator for this course: Dana Lee

General Education Requirements

Arts and Aesthetics

Note

Many degree programs have specific general education recommendations. In order to avoid taking unnecessary classes, please consult with additional resources like your program evaluation, your academic program catalog year page, and your academic advisor.

Courses may only be used to meet one General Education Requirement.

Course Description

Students explore the mechanical and electronic aspects of digital photography as well as the basic tools and software used to optimize digital photographs. The course also includes the study of design, composition, and aesthetics of digital images. DSLR, mirrorless, or compact digital camera with manual mode required. Basic computer skills are required.

Essential Objectives

1. Identify and describe the basic functions and components of a digital camera.
2. Review the differences and similarities between digital and traditional photography.
3. Explain and demonstrate mechanical and electronic aspects of digital photography, including aperture, shutter speed, and ISO settings.
4. Discuss and give examples of principles of composition, design, lighting, and aesthetics in photographic images.
5. Describe and demonstrate the use of various tools of electronic image optimization, such as selection tools, dodge-and-burn tools, brightness and contrast controls, filters, paint tools, cloning tools, sharpen and blur tools, and the smudge tool.
6. Create, transfer, and store digital images while demonstrating an understanding of the relationship between file size and image quality.
7. Examine, discuss, and critique artwork, including references to diverse art historical, social, and cultural contexts.
8. Critically examine socio-cultural biases and influences represented in major and minor trends in photography.
9. Investigate the messages and meanings of photographic expressions as a vehicle for social change and explore or subvert aesthetic traditions.
10. Design and complete individual projects.
11. Create a portfolio of digital images and display finished works in a professional manner.

Required Technology

More information on general computer and internet recommendations is available on the CCV computer recommendations Support page.

Please see CCV's Digital Equity Statement (pg. 45) to learn more about CCV's commitment to supporting all students access the technology they need to successfully finish their courses.

Required Textbooks and Resources

ART-1310-VO01 Link to Textbooks/Resources Information for this course in eCampus.

The last day to use a Financial Aid Advance to purchase textbooks/books is the 3rd Tuesday of the semester. See your financial aid counselor at your academic center if you have any questions.

Methods

This fully online digital photography course engages students in developing their personal photographic style through weekly themed modules, discussion forums, and image-making assignments. Students upload photographs with brief artist statements, participate in peer-to-peer critiques, and receive detailed instructor feedback to strengthen both technical skills and creative vision.

A collaborative resource library allows participants to share articles, tutorials, and inspirational work, fostering a supportive learning community. Midterm and final projects focus on creating cohesive portfolios, encouraging students to experiment, reflect on their growth, and confidently articulate their unique approach to photography.

Evaluation Criteria

ATTENDANCE:

You are considered ‘present’, if you have completed the assignment and/or discussion prompt for that week.If you miss more than 3 or more classes, this will impact your ability to successfully complete this class.It may also have a direct impact on your financial aid award.If you have been absent dur to an illness, let me know and provide a dated medical record.

Please be aware of CC’s attendance policy:

https://ccv.edu/explore-ccv-programs/classes/grading-attendance-academic-standingLinks to an external site.

PARTICIPATION:

Consistent participation not only helps your learning, it encourages all of us to get to know you and share out our knowledge.The expectation in our photo class is for you to complete the weekly task of either; the assignment, offer peer to peer reflection, and/or post a minimum of two posts and response or acknowledgement to our discussion forum.Outline of weekly expectations and due dates are found in the modules, with direct links.

When posting to the discussion forum, responding to a post you made or offering peer to peer feedback, it is my expectation that you will offer an intentional and articulate response.Your response and post should be more than, ‘that photo is nice’ or ‘that photo is pretty’, these do not offer the depth of just how you are reacting to the photograph(s).An intentional and thoughtful response would be a minimum of 150 words, and up to 300 words. Please see our communication agreement if you are questioning if your response is appropriate.

If you are always punctual, prepared for class activities and assignments, participate in discussion boards, you will receive all points associated with participation.If you are occasionally late with assignments, not always prepared for class activities and assignments, participate in discussion boards, you will receive a deduction in points associated with participation.

ASSIGNMENTS:

All assignments must be completed and posted or handed in on the day they are due. Assignments will not be accepted after this point and you will receive an F for the assignment. *Please seeLate Workinfo below.

All work must be your own. Plagiarism and copy right infringement is a serious offense and can have serious ramifications, such as expulsion.

GRADING POLICY:

All assignments are counted towards your final grade.Grades will be posted within 7 days of the assignment due date.Attendance and participation is highly encouraged and counts towards your final grade.

Each evaluation is based on a scale that follows:

• A -Outstanding: Work is of a high quality, creative vision is unique, really captures the subject well.
• B -Good/Above Average: Work is solid, images showing some creative direction and technique is high.
• C -Acceptable: Work illustrates a basic technical proficiency and creative vision is average.
• D -Poor/Below Average: Little effort is shown in creativity and technical skills.
• F -Fail: no effort

Attendance: 12.5%

Participation:12.5%

Assignments: 50%

Final Project:25%

Grading Criteria

CCV Letter Grades as outlined in the Evaluation System Policy are assigned according to the following chart:

	High	Low
A+	100	98
A	Less than 98	93
A-	Less than 93	90
B+	Less than 90	88
B	Less than 88	83
B-	Less than 83	80
C+	Less than 80	78
C	Less than 78	73
C-	Less than 73	70
D+	Less than 70	68
D	Less than 68	63
D-	Less than 63	60
F	Less than 60
P	100	60
NP	Less than 60	0

Weekly Schedule

Attendance Policy

Regular attendance and participation in classes are essential for success in and are completion requirements for courses at CCV. A student's failure to meet attendance requirements as specified in course descriptions will normally result in a non-satisfactory grade.

• In general, missing more than 20% of a course due to absences, lateness or early departures may jeopardize a student's ability to earn a satisfactory final grade.
• Attending an on-ground or synchronous course means a student appeared in the live classroom for at least a meaningful portion of a given class meeting. Attending an online course means a student posted a discussion forum response, completed a quiz or attempted some other academically required activity. Simply viewing a course item or module does not count as attendance.
• Meeting the minimum attendance requirement for a course does not mean a student has satisfied the academic requirements for participation, which require students to go above and beyond simply attending a portion of the class. Faculty members will individually determine what constitutes participation in each course they teach and explain in their course descriptions how participation factors into a student's final grade.

Missing & Late Work Policy

*LATE WORK:

Assignments are due on the date and time listed on Canvas.I have intentionally placed our assignments, discussions and postings to allow for plenty of time to complete.Ido notaccept late assignments, however, there are circumstances such as illness that may impact your ability to make the deadline.In the case of an illness, please reach out to me, and provide a dated medical record.I want you to feel comfortable asking for an extension, and will consider an extension of 1 to 2 days depending on the circumstance, such as competing deadlines with other classes or obligations.

Accessibility Services for Students with Disabilities:

1. Provide disability documentation to the Accessibility Coordinator at your academic center. https://ccv.edu/discover-resources/students-with-disabilities/
2. Request an appointment to meet with accessibility coordinator to discuss your request and create an accommodation plan.
3. Once created, students will share the accommodation plan with faculty. Please note, faculty cannot make disability accommodations outside of this process.

Academic Integrity

Apply Now for this semester.